Did Rob Ford run for mayor on a left-wing campaign promise?

Here’s a real knee-slapper: Toronto activist Dave Meslin says Rob Ford ran for mayor on a left-wing political platform. Meslin argues Ford’s campaign vow of no service cuts—a promise he made repeatedly—was a tacit endorsement of services introduced under former Mayor David Miller. Seriously! The Grid’s Edward Keenan has even taken up the argument, pointing out that while there were likely plenty of people who knew that service cuts and tax cuts would go hand in hand, the amount of opposition to Ford’s cuts quest (like the all-night executive committee deputations) suggests some people are still surprised by the proposed reductions. Keenan notes that many voters simply aren’t that informed, particularly on the nuances of municipal budgeting. So whether or not Ford intentionally ran a left-wing campaign—which he definitely didn’t—to some he still seems to be breaking a left-wing promise. Read the entire story [The Grid] »